Media channel identification with video multi-match detection and disambiguation based on audio fingerprint

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are methods and systems to help disambiguate channel identification in a scenario where a video fingerprint of media content matches multiple reference video fingerprints corresponding respectively with multiple different channels. Given such a multi-match situation, an entity could disambiguate based on an audio component of the media content, such as by further determining that an audio fingerprint of the media content at issue matches an audio fingerprint of just one of the multiple channels, thereby establishing that that is the channel on which the media content being rendered by the media presentation device is arriving.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/017,203,filed Jun. 25, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/842,189, filed Dec. 14, 2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,149,007 and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/253,354, filed Aug. 31, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,930,406and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/222,405, filed Jul. 28, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,063,918, and of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/179,143, filedJun. 10, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,924,222, and claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/301,616, filedFeb. 29, 2016. Each of these priority applications is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. In addition, the disclosureof U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2015/0181263 is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A typical media presentation device operates to receive an analog ordigital media stream representing media content having video and audiocomponents and to render and output the media content on a userinterface including a display screen and an audio speaker. Examples ofsuch devices include, without limitation, televisions, multimediapresentation systems (e.g., having separate or integratedvideo-presentation and audio-presentation components), and the like.

In many cases, such a media presentation device may be in communicationwith a receiver, such as a local set top box or other similar device ora remote server, that has access to numerous discrete channels of mediacontent and that can selectively deliver a given such channel's mediacontent to the media presentation device for playout.

By way of example, a television may be communicatively linked with acable-TV set top box that has access to a set of cable-TV channels, andthe set top box may be configured to receive user input selecting aparticular channel and to responsively tune to the selected channel andoutput to the television the video and audio components of the selectedchannel, and the television may be configured to render those video andaudio components for presentation to a user. And as another example, amultimedia presentation system having separate or integrated display andloudspeaker components may be communicatively linked with a computer,set top box, or other receiver that has access to a myriad of televisionor online streaming media channels, and the receiver may be configuredto receive user input selecting a particular channel, to responsivelyinitiate receipt of the selected channel, and to provide a videocomponent of the channel to the display for presentation to a user whileproviding an audio component of the media content to the loudspeaker forpresentation to the user.

SUMMARY

When a media presentation device receives and renders media content, themedia presentation device may not have an indication of which channelcarried the media content. A receiver or other device that selectivelytunes to the channel and receives the media content and that providesthe media content to the media presentation device may have suchinformation, but the media presentation device that receives the mediacontent from that other device may not have such information. Forexample, if a television is coupled with a cable-TV set top box and auser selects a particular cable channel on the set top box, the set topbox may thereby have an indication of the selected channel as thechannel on which the set top box is then receiving a media content thatis being output to the television. But the television itself may merelyreceive and render the media content and may have no indication of theselected channel.

For various reasons, however, it may be useful to determine which ofvarious channels is the channel that carries the content being renderedby a media presentation device. Further, it may be useful to do sowithout receiving from a channel-selection device (e.g., receiver orremote control) a report of the channel to which that device is tuned,and perhaps without any involvement of the channel-selection device. Forinstance, it may be useful for the media presentation device itself,and/or a network server working in cooperation with the mediapresentation device, to determine the channel based on an evaluation ofthe media content that is being rendered (e.g., being already rendered,currently being rendered, or being in queue to be rendered) by the mediapresentation device. Given knowledge of the channel on which the mediacontent is arriving, the media presentation device, the network server,and/or another entity could then carry out one or more operations keyedto the channel, such as determining and recording an extent to whichmedia content of that channel is being played, selectively replacing apredetermined portion of the media content with alternative content(such as a replacement advertisement), or superimposing channel-specificcontent over the media content for presentation along with the mediacontent, among numerous other possibilities.

One method to determine the channel on which media content is arrivingis to have the media presentation device (or perhaps an adjunct device)and/or a network server generate a digital fingerprint of the mediacontent that is being rendered by the media presentation device, and tothen compare that fingerprint with reference fingerprint dataestablished for media content known to be provided on particularchannels.

For example, a network server or other such entity may establish orotherwise have access to reference data that includes a reference videofingerprint of each of the channels available to provide media contentto the media presentation device (e.g., each of the channels within asubscription plan for a set-top box that supplies media content to themedia presentation device) and that maps each reference videofingerprint to the channel on which the media content is provided. Asthe media presentation device receives and renders given media content,the media presentation device may then generate a video fingerprint ofthat media content and, through a network communication interface,report the generated video fingerprint to the network server foranalysis. The network server may then compare the reported videofingerprint with the reference video fingerprint data to find a matchwith a reference video fingerprint and to thereby determine that thechannel on which the media content is arriving is the channel that thereference data maps with that reference video fingerprint. Upon therebydetermining the channel on which the media content is arriving, thenetwork server may then communicate an indication of the channel to themedia presentation device, and the media presentation device may takechannel-specific action. Alternatively, the network server itself oranother entity may take channel-specific action based on the determinedchannel.

Unfortunately, however, a problem that can arise in this process is thatthe same media content may be provided on multiple different channels,whether concurrently or at different times, and so a video fingerprintof media content being rendered by a media presentation device may notcorrelate with just the channel on which the media content is arriving.For example, a sports game or political event might be broadcastconcurrently on multiple different channels, or a syndicated televisionor radio show might be broadcast on multiple different such channelsconcurrently or at different times. In these or other scenarios, if themedia presentation device is presenting such media content and generatesand provides a video fingerprint of the media content, that videofingerprint could be mapped to multiple reference video fingerprints,and consequently the channel-identification would be inconclusive.

As a specific example of this, consider a scenario where two differentcontent providers both broadcast the same sports game, each on aseparate respective channel, and where an advertiser has a contract withjust one of the content providers to present a pop-up advertisement onthat provider's broadcast of the game. In this scenario, when a mediapresentation device is receiving and presenting one of these broadcasts,if the media presentation device generates and provides to the networkserver a video fingerprint of the broadcast, the network server maydetermine that the video fingerprint matches both content providers'broadcasts of the game, and so it would be unclear whether the mediapresentation device should present the pop-up advertisement or not.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems to help disambiguate channelidentification in a scenario where video fingerprint data of mediacontent matches multiple reference video fingerprints correspondingrespectively with multiple different channels. In accordance with thedisclosure, when a network server or other entity detects such amulti-match situation, the entity will then perform disambiguation basedon an audio component of the media content. In particular, the entitymay first detect a multi-match scenario by determining that a videofingerprint of the media content at issue matches reference videofingerprints of multiple different channels. Faced with that detectedmulti-match scenario, the entity will then perform disambiguation basedon a further determination that an audio fingerprint of the mediacontent at issue matches an audio fingerprint of just one of themultiple channels, thereby establishing that that is the channel onwhich the media content being rendered by the media presentation deviceis arriving, so as to facilitate taking channel-specific action.

In practice, the audio that forms the basis for this disambiguationcould be a language track of the media content. For instance, themultiple channels might have the same video track as each other, butthey might have different audio tracks than each other, such as with onebeing recorded or dubbed in an English voice and another being recordedor dubbed in a Spanish voice or in another language or voice. Thissituation could arise, for example, where the same broadcast is providedon different channels but where the channels have different languages tofacilitate receipt and enjoyment by users who speak different languages.Faced with a multi-match situation keyed to the video tracks of suchchannels, the entity carrying out this process could use an audiofingerprint of the media content being rendered as a basis to determinewhich of the channels is the one being rendered by the mediapresentation device.

Alternatively or additionally, the audio that forms the basis for thisdisambiguation could take other forms, including, for instance,background music, sound effects, and/or other audio components.

Accordingly, disclosed is a method that involves taking action based ona channel determined through disambiguation based on an audiofingerprint. The method includes a computing system determining that avideo fingerprint of media content being rendered by a mediapresentation device matches multiple reference video fingerprints eachcorresponding with a different respective channel. Further, the methodincludes, responsive to at least determining that the video fingerprintmatches the multiple reference video fingerprints each correspondingwith a different respective channel, performing disambiguation based atleast in part on a determination that an audio fingerprint of the mediacontent being rendered by the media presentation device matches areference audio fingerprint corresponding with just a single channel,the disambiguation establishing that the media presentation device isreceiving the media content on the single channel. And the methodincludes taking action based on the establishing that the mediapresentation device is receiving the media content on the singlechannel.

Further, disclosed a system including a network communication interface,a processing unit, non-transitory data storage, and program instructionsstored in (e.g., on) the non-transitory data storage and executable bythe processing unit to carry out various operations. The operationsinclude receiving from a media presentation device, via the networkcommunication interface, a video fingerprint of media content beingrendered by the media presentation device. Further, the operationsinclude determining that the received video fingerprint matchesreference video fingerprints corresponding with multiple channels. Stillfurther, the operations include receiving from the media presentationdevice, via the network communication interface, an audio fingerprint ofthe media content being rendered by the media presentation device. Andthe operations include using the received audio fingerprint to determinewhich of the multiple channels carries the media content being renderedby the media presentation device. The operations then include takingaction based on the determined channel.

And still further, disclosed is a non-transitory computer readablemedium having stored thereon instructions executable by a processingunit to carry out various operations such as those described herein.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the followingdetailed description, with reference where appropriate to theaccompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that thedescriptions provided in this summary and below are intended toillustrate the invention by way of example only and not by way oflimitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example system in whichvarious disclosed principles can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an arrangement in which a mediapresentation device receives media content, including video and audiocomponents, from a receiver.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an example network arrangementin which a media presentation device communicates with a network serverto facilitate implementing various disclosed principles.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting operations that can be carried out inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of an example network server.

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of an example media presentationdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of anexample system in which various disclosed principles can be applied. Itwill be understood, however, that this and other arrangements andprocesses described herein can take various other forms. For instance,elements and operations can be re-ordered, distributed, replicated,combined, omitted, added, or otherwise modified. Further, it will beunderstood that functions described herein as being carried out by oneor more entities could be implemented by and/or on behalf of thoseentities, through hardware, firmware, and/or software, such as by one ormore processing units executing program instructions or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the example system includes one or more mediacontent sources 12 (e.g., broadcasters, web servers, etc.), one or moremedia content distributors 14 (e.g., multi-channel distributors, such ascable providers, satellite providers, over-the-air broadcast providers,web aggregators, etc.), one or more media content receivers 16 (e.g.,cable receivers, satellite receivers, over-the-air broadcast receivers,computers or other streaming media receivers, etc.), and one or moreclients or media presentation devices 18 (e.g., televisions or otherdisplay devices, loudspeakers or other audio output devices, etc.)

In practice, for instance, the media content sources 12 could benational broadcasters, such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, HBO, and CNN, themedia content distributors 14 could be local affiliates and/or otherlocal content distributors within particular designated market areas(DMAs), and the receivers 16 and media presentation devices 18 couldthen be situated at customer premises, such as homes or businessestablishments. With this or other arrangements, the content sources 12could deliver media content to the content distributors 14 fordistribution to receivers 16 at customer premises, and the contentdistributors could distribute the media content to the receivers 16 ondiscrete channels (e.g., particular frequencies). Each receiver couldthen respond to user input or one or more other triggers by tuning to aselected channel and outputting to a media presentation device 18 themedia content that is arriving on the selected channel. And the mediapresentation device 18 could receive and render the media content (e.g.,display or otherwise present the content).

In this arrangement, as the media presentation device receives andrenders this media content, the media presentation device may have noindication of the channel on which the media content is arriving, i.e.,of the channel to which the receiver is tuned. Rather, the mediapresentation device may be configured simply to receive the mediacontent as a media stream from the receiver and to render the receivedmedia content. Per the present disclosure, however, the mediapresentation device may be in communication with a network server andmay work with the network server to facilitate identification of thechannel and thus to facilitate taking useful channel-specific action.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example arrangement in which a media presentationdevice 18 is configured to receive a channel of media content from areceiver 16 and to render the media content for presentation to a user.In this arrangement, the media presentation device could be of the typedescribed above, such as a television or other system that includesintegrated or separate video and audio presentation components 20, 22(e.g., a video display module and associated software/hardware and anaudio output module and associated software/hardware). And the receivercould be of the type described above, such as a cable-TV set top box, acomputer or the like, configured to selectively tune to and output anyof a variety of channels of media content. In practice, the mediapresentation device could have one or more connections (e.g., wired orwireless connections) with the receiver, to facilitate receiving fromthe receiver the video and audio components (e.g., video and audiotracks) of a channel to which the receiver is tuned. And the video andaudio presentation components 20, 22 of the media presentation devicecould then operate to render the video and audio being received from thereceiver, for presentation to a user.

FIG. 3 next illustrates an example network arrangement in which such amedia presentation device 18 is in communication with a network server24 via a network 26, such as the Internet. In practice, the mediapresentation device 18 may sit as a node on a local area network (LAN)at customer premises, with the media presentation device having anassigned Internet Protocol (IP) address on the LAN and the LAN having anIP address on the Internet. Further, the network server 24 may also beaccessible at an IP address on the Internet. With this arrangement, themedia presentation device may initiate and engage in IP communicationwith the network server via the Internet, to report fingerprints ofmedia content being rendered by the media presentation device, so as tofacilitate channel identification and associated action.

As discussed above, the network server 24 or another entity operating inaccordance with the present disclosure could establish or have access toreference data 28 for media content that is carried or scheduled to becarried on at least each of various channels accessible to the mediapresentation device 18. The reference data, which could be stored in arelational database or other form, could include one or more referencefingerprints for each channel, perhaps reference fingerprint streams ofmedia content that was most recently carried by the channel (e.g., on asliding window basis covering a most recent period of time).Alternatively or additionally, the reference data could include one ormore respective reference fingerprints (e.g., reference fingerprintstreams) of each media content program (e.g., television broadcast,streaming media file, etc.) that is available and/or scheduled to becarried on a particular channel. Further, the reference data could mapeach reference fingerprint to a channel on which the associated mediacontent (i.e., the content uniquely identified by the reference videoand audio fingerprints) is or may be carried.

Optimally, for instance, the reference data for each channel couldinclude a reference video fingerprint of a video component of thechannel and a reference audio fingerprint of an audio component of thechannel. For instance, for each channel, the reference data could storein association with a data record a respective reference videofingerprint (e.g., reference video fingerprint stream) and a respectiveaudio fingerprint (e.g., reference audio fingerprint stream). And thereference data could additionally include store in association with thedata record a mapping with the associated channel.

In mapping reference fingerprints to channels, the reference data couldcharacterize the channels by various attributes, to help distinguish thechannels from each other. For example, where a receiver or other suchdevice provides multiple different channels selectable by channelnumber, the reference data could characterize the channels by theirrespective channel numbers. And as another example, where each channelcarries a particular content source's content, such as the content ofone of a particular broadcaster for instance, the reference data couldcharacterize the channels by their respective content sources'identities. Still further, where more than one content distributor(e.g., multichannel distributor) distribute content sources' content,the reference data could characterize the channels by their respectivecontent distributors' identities. In practice, the reference data couldcorrelate each reference fingerprint with one or more of these or otherattributes.

The network server 24 or other entity operating in accordance with thepresent disclosure could establish some or all of this reference data byanalyzing media content arriving on each of the various channels (e.g.,at least the media content arriving on each of various channels that areavailable to a receiver that serves the media presentation device). Tofacilitate this, as shown, the server could include or be interconnectedwith one or more receivers 16 that are configured to receive mediacontent from one or more of the media content distributors 14 on variouschannels in much the same way that receivers would be configured toreceive content at customer premises. For instance, the server couldinclude or be interconnected with one or more cable-TV set top boxes,computers, or other media receivers, or could be configured to emulateone or more such receivers. The server could then be configured toreceive and analyze the respective media content arriving on eachchannel and to generate for each channel both a reference videofingerprint of the channel's video component and an audio fingerprint ofthe channel's audio component, using any media fingerprintingprocess(es) now known or later developed (e.g., computing a hash on aper frame or other basis, or otherwise identifying, extracting anddigitally representing component features unique to the media content).

In practice, the server could be configured to receive concurrently onmultiple such channels (perhaps all of the channels) and to analyze andgenerate respective fingerprints for the channels in parallel, or theserver might be configured to hop from channel to channel, possiblyrepeatedly cycling through the channels, to analyze and generate arespective video and audio fingerprints for each channel. Further, theserver could continue to do this in real-time, saving respective videoand audio fingerprints of at least a most recent time window of mediacontent for each channel, for reference. And the server could recordeach channel's reference fingerprints in the reference data inassociation with a characterization of the channel (e.g., withattributes such as those noted above) and timestamp informationindicating a time of receipt of the associated media content. Here, theserver would have knowledge of each channel (e.g., channel number), justas a receiver would normally have knowledge of the channel to which thereceiver is tuned. Further, the server may have access to guideinformation or other such data specifying attributes of each suchchannel (e.g., content source identity, content distributor identity,etc.), so that the server can determine and record channel attributesrespectively for each reference fingerprint or channel record.

Alternatively or additionally, the server could receive or perhapsestablish such video and audio reference fingerprints for media contentprograms that are available or scheduled to be provided on particularchannels. For instance, providers or distributors of various mediacontent programs could generate reference video and audio fingerprintsfor the media content programs, again using any media fingerprintingprocess now known or later developed, and those reference fingerprintscould be provided to the server. Alternatively, the server could receiveadvance copies of the media content programs and could itself generatesuch reference fingerprints. Further, the server could receive ordetermine from program guide information the channel on which the mediacontent program is available or scheduled to be provided, and perhaps aday and time at which the media content is scheduled to be provided. Theserver could then record each media content program's referencefingerprints in the reference data in association with the channel onwhich the media content program is available or scheduled to be carried,likewise with associated channel attributes, and perhaps in associationwith a day and time at which the media content program is scheduled tobe provided.

Still further, the server could generally establish just a referencevideo fingerprint, and not a reference audio fingerprint, respectivelyfor each channel or media content program, to facilitate channelidentification. And the server could then start establishing a referenceaudio fingerprint of each of one or more specific channels in responseto a determination that a video multi-match situation exists withrespect to those channels, so as to then help resolve the multi-matchsituation.

Given this or other such reference data, when the server is presentedwith a fingerprint of media content that was received on an unknownchannel, the server could match the fingerprint with one of the storedreference fingerprints, using any fingerprint matching process now knownor later developed, and could thereby conclude that the media content atissue arrived on the channel that the reference data maps to thematching reference fingerprint. Thus, if the server is faced with afingerprint of media content that is being rendered by the mediapresentation device 18, the server could compare the fingerprint withthe reference fingerprints in the reference data. And if the serverthereby finds a matching reference fingerprint, then the server couldidentify the channel that the reference data maps with the matchingreference fingerprint and could conclude that that is the channel onwhich the media presentation device is receiving the media content(i.e., that that is the channel carrying the media content beingrendered by the media presentation device). In turn, the server couldresponsively take a channel-specific action based on the identifiedchannel, or cause or enable one or more other entities to take achannel-specific action based on the identified channel.

In practice, the video fingerprint of a channel being rendered by amedia presentation device may often be a sufficient basis, by comparisonwith reference video fingerprints of known channels, to identify thechannel being rendered. Therefore, in general practice, the mediapresentation device 18 or another entity could be configured to generatea video fingerprint of the channel being rendered by the mediapresentation device and transmit the video fingerprint to server 24 foranalysis.

As addressed by the present disclosure, however, there may also be timeswhen the video fingerprint of a channel being rendered by the mediapresentation device matches multiple reference video fingerprintsassociated with multiple channels. And in such cases, the audiofingerprint of the channel being rendered could then be used as a basisto disambiguate. Therefore, either in general practice or in response tothe occurrence of such a video multi-match situation, the mediapresentation device or other entity could also be configured to generatean audio fingerprint of the channel being rendered by the mediapresentation device and to transmit that audio fingerprint to server 26as well for analysis.

For this purpose, FIG. 3 shows that the media presentation device 18could include a video fingerprint generator 30 and an audio fingerprintgenerator 32, which could be provided as hardware and/or software(programmed processor) components for instance. The video fingerprintgenerator 30 could be configured to generate a digital video fingerprintof media content being rendered by the media presentation device, andthe audio fingerprint generator 32 could be configured to generate adigital audio fingerprint of media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device. Further, such fingerprint generators could beconfigured to generate the fingerprints of media content as the mediapresentation device is receiving the media content from a receiver 16and/or as the media presentation device is processing the media contentfor presentation. As such, the fingerprint generators could receive asinput a copy of the media content arriving at the media presentationdevice from the receiver and/or being processed for presentation by themedia presentation device, and to apply any media fingerprinting processnow known or later developed to generate the fingerprints of the mediacontent.

The video fingerprint generator 30 could be configured to generate avideo fingerprint as a fingerprint stream on an ongoing basis, such ason a per frame basis (e.g., per key-frame basis) or other basis. And themedia presentation device could be configured to transmit the videofingerprint via network 26 to a server 24 for analysis. By way ofexample, the media presentation device could be configured toperiodically or from time to time transmit to the server a videofingerprint representing a latest frame, series of frames or othersegment or portion of the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device. In particular, the media presentation device couldgenerate a message carrying the latest generated video fingerprint,along with one or more timestamps and/or other such data as well as anidentifier of the media presentation device, and could transmit themessage to the server's IP address. And the server may thereby receivethe video fingerprint for analysis.

Alternatively, the media presentation device could transmit to theserver, and the server could thus receive, various data regarding themedia content being rendered by the media presentation device, likewiseon an ongoing basis or other basis, to enable the server itself oranother entity to generate a video fingerprint of the media contentbeing rendered by the media presentation device. For example, the mediapresentation device could transmit to the server portions of the videocomponent being rendered by the media presentation device, such asindividual frames (e.g., snapshots) or other segments of the videocomponent. And the server could apply any video fingerprinting processnow known or later developed to generate a video fingerprint of themedia content for analysis.

Through the process described above, the server could then compare thevideo fingerprint of the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device with the reference video fingerprints in thereference data, using any digital video fingerprint comparison processnow known or later developed. And as noted above, if the server therebyfinds a matching reference video fingerprint, the server could determinethe channel that the reference data maps with the matching referencevideo fingerprint and could conclude that the determined channel is thechannel carrying the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device.

In response to thereby determining the channel at issue, the servercould then take, or cause to be taken, one or more channel-specificactions based on the determination of the channel. In particular, theserver itself could take action based on the channel determination, orthe server could signal to another entity, perhaps to the mediapresentation device, to cause the other entity to take action based onthe channel determination.

For example, the server could record the fact that the mediapresentation device is presenting content of that particular channel, aspart of a channel rating or analytics system to measure the extent towhich particular channels are being presented by media presentationdevices. For instance, the media presentation device could regularly(e.g., periodically) report to the server a video fingerprint of themedia content that the media presentation device is rendering, and theserver could carry out processes such as those discussed herein todetermine the channel being rendered. Each time the server thusdetermines that a channel is being rendered, the server could add to acount or other statistic of the channel being rendered, as data toindicate the extent to which that channel is being presented. Further,these counts or other statistics could be per media presentation device(as device-specific viewing analytics), indicating the extent to whichthe media presentation device presents the channel at issue.

As another example, the server could responsively cause the mediapresentation device to present supplemental content, such as a pop-upadvertisement as discussed above, a commercial break, or a channelidentification, among other possibilities, possibly as a replacement forone or more portions of the media content, and as video and/or audiocontent. For instance, given knowledge of the channel at issue, theserver could generate or select (e.g., from server data storage)particular supplemental media content associated specifically with thedetermined channel (and perhaps further based on profile data (e.g.,device-specific viewing analytics) associated with the particular mediapresentation device) and could transmit the supplemental media contentto the media presentation device for the media presentation device topresent in conjunction with the media content that the mediapresentation device is receiving from the receiver. The mediapresentation device could thus receive the supplemental media contentfrom the server and present it in conjunction with the media contentthat the media presentation device is receiving from the receiver.

In practice, this process could involve the server receiving inreal-time from the media presentation device a video fingerprint of themedia content being rendered by the media presentation device and theserver determining that the received video fingerprint matches areference fingerprint of media content that the server is concurrentlyreceiving (or has scheduled for the same time) on a known channel.

In some cases, there may be a time difference between when the mediapresentation device renders the media content and timestamps andtransmits the video fingerprint to the server and when the serverreceives the media content on the known channel and otherwise has thereference video fingerprint timestamped. The server could account forthis time difference by comparing the received video fingerprint over asliding window of the reference video fingerprint or vice versa.Further, the server could account for this time difference when takingaction in response to a determined match between the received videofingerprint and the reference video fingerprint. For example, if themedia presentation device receives the media content sufficientlyearlier than the server's timestamp for the content (e.g., more than afew seconds earlier), the server could still identify a videofingerprint match and could record analytics data. But in response todetecting that time difference, the server might forgo having the mediapresentation device present associated supplemental content, to helpavoid a situation where the media presentation device presents thesupplemental content too late (e.g., out of sync) from a user'sperspective. On the other hand, if the server detects a videofingerprint match for a sufficient period of time and/or determines thatthe matching content will continue, the server may have the mediapresentation device present supplemental content even when faced withsuch a time difference.

In any event, through these or other such processes, a network server orother entity can determine the channel on which the media presentationdevice is receiving the media content at issue. And once the entitydetermines the channel, the entity may then take action based on thechannel determination. Alternatively, the entity could signal to anotherentity, perhaps back to the media presentation device, to cause theother entity to take action based on the channel determination. Otherexamples are possible as well.

In line with the discussion above, the server 24 or other entity thathas access to reference data as noted above could be configured toidentify video multi-match scenarios, perhaps by detecting among thereference data various reference video fingerprints that match eachother and that match a video fingerprint of media content being renderedby the media presentation device.

In one implementation, for instance, the server could regularly analyzethe reference data in search of video multi-match scenarios, comparingpairs of video reference fingerprints in the reference data using anynow known or later developed video fingerprint matching process, in aneffort to find reference video fingerprints that match each other. Uponfinding each such match of at least two of the reference videofingerprints, the server could then flag the reference videofingerprints as being a multi-match group. Such a flag could indicatethat there will be a potential ambiguity if the video fingerprint ofmedia content being rendered by the media presentation device matchesany of the reference video fingerprints in the flagged multi-matchgroup. The server could flag the reference video fingerprints as being amulti-match group in various ways. For instance, the server couldcross-reference the reference video fingerprints of the multi-matchgroup in the reference data, to indicate that they are members of amulti-match group.

With this implementation, when the server receives from a mediapresentation device a video fingerprint of media content being renderedby the media presentation device and the server determines that thereceived video fingerprint matches a reference video fingerprint, theserver could then readily determine from the reference data whether amulti-match situation exists. If the matching reference videofingerprint is not flagged as being a member of a multi-match group,then the server could conclude that a single-match situation (ratherthan a multi-match situation) exists, in which case, as discussed above,the server could then readily determine from the reference data thechannel associated with the matching reference fingerprint and couldconclude that that is the channel carrying the media content beingrendered by the media presentation device. Whereas, if the matchingreference video fingerprint is flagged as being a member of amulti-match group, then the server could conclude that a multi-matchsituation (rather than a single-match situation) exists, in which casethe server may need to perform a disambiguation process to help identifythe channel at issue from among those associated with the referencevideo fingerprints of the multi-match group.

Alternatively, in another implementation, the server could identify avideo multi-match group at the time the server receives a videofingerprint from the media presentation device. For instance, when(e.g., as) the server receives the video fingerprint from the mediapresentation device, the server could compare the received videofingerprint with all of the reference video fingerprints in thereference data. If the server thereby detects that the received videofingerprint matches only one of the reference video fingerprints, thenthe server could conclude that a single-match situation (rather than amulti-match situation) exists, in which case the server could thenreadily determine from the reference data the channel associated withthe matching reference fingerprint and could conclude that that is thechannel carrying the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device. Whereas, if the server detects that the receivedvideo fingerprint matches two or more of the reference videofingerprints, then the server could conclude that a multi-matchsituation (rather than a single-match situation) exists, in which casethe server may need to perform a disambiguation process to help identifythe channel at issue from among those associated with the referencevideo fingerprints of the multi-match group.

Note that, similar to the process discussed above, the process ofdetecting a multi-match situation involving two or more reference videofingerprints could be performed even if the two reference videofingerprints represent the same media content carried on two differentchannels at a time delay relative to one another, i.e., where thepresentation of the media content on one of the channels is time shiftedin relation to presentation of the same media content on another one ofthe channels. The fingerprint matching process could account for thistime shifting and could still find a match if the video fingerprintsotherwise match each other, such as by comparing one video fingerprintover a sliding window with the other video fingerprint. For instance,the process of finding matching reference video fingerprints within thereference data could involve searching for reference video fingerprintsthat match one another and are presented and/or scheduled at respectivetimes that are within a threshold time interval of each other.

As noted above, when the server or other entity carrying out thisanalysis detects that the video fingerprint of the media content beingrendered by the media presentation device matches multiple referencefingerprints corresponding respectively with multiple channels, theentity could apply a disambiguation process to help determine which ofthe channels associated with the multi-match group is the actual channelcarrying the media content being rendered by the media presentationdevice.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the disambiguation processcan be based on a further determination that an audio fingerprint of themedia content being rendered by the media presentation device matchesjust a single channel.

As noted above, this form of disambiguation could apply in a situationwhere multiple channels provide the same video with associated audio andwhere the video on the channels is largely identical but where thechannels have different audio tracks than each other. In this situation,the when faced with a video multi-match, the server or other entitycould then make use of an audio fingerprint of the audio component beingrendered by the media presentation device as a basis to disambiguate. Inparticular, the server could compare an audio fingerprint received fromthe media presentation device with reference audio fingerprints of thechannels associated with the video multi-match group, and could therebydetermine that the audio fingerprint matches the reference audiofingerprint of just one of those channels, thereby supporting aconclusion that that one channel is the channel carrying the mediacontent being rendered by the media presentation.

To facilitate this in practice, as noted above, the server couldregularly receive from the media presentation device an audiofingerprint (e.g., audio fingerprint stream) of the audio componentbeing rendered by the media presentation device. And the server couldregularly establish or receive reference data including reference audiofingerprints (e.g., reference audio fingerprint streams) of variousavailable channels. Thus, when faced with the video multi-matchsituation, the server could readily compare the audio fingerprint fromthe media presentation device with the audio fingerprints of themulti-match group members in order to disambiguate.

Alternatively, as noted above, the server might regularly receive just avideo fingerprint, and not an audio fingerprint, from the mediapresentation device, in which case, upon detecting a video multi-matchsituation, the server could then request the media presentation deviceto provide an audio fingerprint of the media content being rendered soas to facilitate disambiguation. Further, the server might regularlygenerate just a reference video fingerprint of each available channel,in which case, upon detecting a video multi-match situation, the servercould then start generating audio fingerprints of the channelsassociated with the video multi-match group, so as to facilitatedisambiguation.

Note also that, in some cases, the audio tracks of two differentchannels may be only partially different than each other. For instance,two channels may provide the same movie content as each other, includingthe same background music and sound effects, but the channels may havedifferent language tracks than each other (e.g., with one being inEnglish and the other being dubbed in Spanish). To account for partialaudio-track differences like this, the server could perform audiofingerprint comparisons over a period of time and could identify andkeep track of distinctions between audio tracks for use indisambiguating and resolving video multi-match scenarios.

For example, the server could receive an audio fingerprint stream fromthe media presentation for a period of time (e.g., about 60-120seconds), and the server could determine that one time segment of theaudio fingerprint stream matches multiple reference audio fingerprintsof the multi-match group but could determine that another time segmentof the audio fingerprint stream matches just one of the reference audiofingerprints, thereby establishing that the channel associated with thematching reference audio fingerprint is the channel at issue. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/222,405 provides further discussion ofusing an earlier or later fingerprint time segment as a basis to performsuch disambiguation, and the principles discussed there could be appliedin this context as well.

Still further, in an implementation where the server evaluates referencevideo fingerprints in advance and flags video multi-match groups in thereference data, the server could compare the reference audiofingerprints of the channels associated with the multi-match group todetermine if the reference audio fingerprints differ from each otherand, if so, could further flag the video multi-match group to indicatethat an audio-fingerprint analysis could facilitate disambiguation. Forinstance, the server could record in association with the videomulti-match group a Boolean value or other indication thataudio-fingerprint analysis could facilitate disambiguation. Upon laterdetecting a video multi-match situation with respect to a videofingerprint provided by the media presentation device, the server couldthen detect that the video multi-match group was so further flagged,and, in response to detecting the video multi-match situation anddetecting the further flagging, the server could responsively start theprocess of seeking to disambiguate based on an audio fingerprintanalysis.

Various aspects discussed above in connection the video fingerprintanalysis could also apply with respect to the audio fingerprint analysisto facilitate multi-match disambiguation. For example, just as the mediapresentation device could provide the server with media content data(e.g., individual video frames or other segments of the media contentbeing rendered) to enable the server itself to generate the videofingerprint of the media content for analysis, so too could the mediapresentation device provide the server with media content (e.g., audiosegments of the media content being rendered) to enable the serveritself to generate the audio fingerprint of the media content foranalysis. As another example, just as the server could account fortime-shifting when comparing video fingerprints and could be cautious toavoid taking certain action in response to a sufficiently stale videofingerprint data, so too could the server account for time-shifting whencomparing audio fingerprints and could be cautious to avoid takingcertain actions in response to sufficiently stale audio fingerprintdata. And as yet another example, just as the server could use any videofingerprint matching process now known or later developed to comparevideo fingerprints, so too could the server use any audio fingerprintmatching process now known or later developed to compare audiofingerprints. Other examples are possible as well.

In addition, note that while the discussion herein focuses primarily onserver 24 identifying a video multi-match situation and thendisambiguating based on audio fingerprint analysis, some or all of theoperations described could alternatively be carried out by one or moreother entities, in place of or in cooperation with the server.

For instance, one or more of the operations could be carried out by themedia presentation device itself or by an adjunct system in localcommunication with the media presentation device. By way of example, themedia presentation device itself could be provisioned with or haveaccess to reference data like that described above, and the mediapresentation device could itself refer to the reference data to identifya video multi-match situation, to perform disambiguation based on audiofingerprint analysis, and to thereby identify the channel that providesthe media content being rendered by the media presentation device.Further, in response to detecting a video multi-match situation, themedia presentation device could then request and receive from the serverreference audio fingerprints for the channels associated with the videomulti-match group, or the media presentation device could be separatelyprovisioned with such reference audio fingerprint data. And the mediapresentation device could then perform disambiguation itself bycomparing such audio fingerprints with an audio fingerprint of the audiocomponent being rendered. Still further, the media presentation devicecould then itself take channel-specific action, such as presentingchannel-specific content, recording channel presentation, or the like,or could cause or work with one or more other entities to take suchaction.

FIG. 4 is next a flow chart depicting a method that can be carried outin line with the discussion above. One or more of the operations in themethod depicted by FIG. 4 could be carried out by one or more entities,including, without limitation, a network server, a media presentationdevice, and/or one or more entities operating on behalf of or incooperation with these or other entities. Any such entity could embody acomputing system, such as a programmed processing unit or the like,configured to carry out one or more of the method operations. Further, anon-transitory data storage (e.g., disc storage, flash storage, or othercomputer readable medium) could have stored thereon instructionsexecutable by a processing unit to carry out the various depictedoperations.

As shown in FIG. 4, at block 40, the method includes a computing systemdetermining that a video fingerprint of media content being rendered bya media presentation device matches multiple reference videofingerprints each corresponding with a different respective channel. Atblock 42, the method then includes, responsive to at least determiningthat the video fingerprint matches the multiple reference videofingerprints each corresponding with a different respective channel,performing disambiguation based at least in part on a determination thatan audio fingerprint of the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device matches a reference audio fingerprint correspondingwith just a single channel, the disambiguation establishing that themedia presentation device is receiving the media content on the singlechannel. And at block 44, the method includes taking action based on theestablishing that the media presentation device is receiving the mediacontent on the single channel.

As discussed above, the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device could have a video track and an audio track (e.g.,at least a language track), and the video fingerprint could be afingerprint of the video track and the audio fingerprint could be afingerprint of the audio track.

Further, as discussed above, where the computing system is a server orother entity other than the media presentation device, the mediapresentation device could generate the video and audio fingerprints ofthe media content being rendered by the media presentation device, andthe computing system could receive those fingerprints from the mediapresentation device.

Still further, in an example implementation, the multiple referencefingerprints could be selected from a plurality of referencefingerprints in reference data, in which case determining that the videofingerprint of the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device matches the multiple reference video fingerprintscould involve (i) comparing the video fingerprint of the media contentbeing rendered by the media presentation device with the plurality ofreference video fingerprints in the reference data, and (ii) based onthe comparing, determining that the video fingerprint of the firstsegment of the media content being rendered by the media presentationdevice matches the multiple reference video fingerprints.

And yet further, the method could also include detecting and flagging amulti-match group consisting of the multiple reference fingerprints, inwhich case the act of determining that the video fingerprint of themedia content being rendered by the media presentation device matchesthe multiple reference video fingerprints could involve determining thatthe video fingerprint of the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device matches the reference video fingerprints of theflagged multi-match group.

And the method could additionally include (i) comparing audiofingerprints corresponding with the video fingerprints of the flaggedmulti-match group, (ii) detecting, based on the comparing, a differencebetween the compared audio fingerprints; and (iii) responsive todetecting the difference, further flagging the multi-match group toindicate that audio-fingerprint analysis could facilitatedisambiguation. And in that case, the act of performing disambiguationbased on the determination that the audio fingerprint of the mediacontent being rendered by the media presentation device matches areference audio fingerprint corresponding with just a single channelcould be further responsive to determining that the multi-match group isfurther flagged to indicate that audio-fingerprint analysis couldfacilitate disambiguation.

Also in line with the discussion above, the method could include makingthe determination that the audio fingerprint of the media content beingrendered by the media presentation device matches a reference audiofingerprint corresponding with just a single channel. For instance, themethod could include (i) comparing the audio fingerprint of the mediacontent being rendered by the media presentation device with referenceaudio fingerprints corresponding with the same channels as the multiplereference video fingerprints, and (ii) based on the comparing,determining that the audio fingerprint of the media content beingrendered by the media presentation device matches just a single one ofthe reference audio fingerprints.

Further, as discussed above, the computing system could be an entityother the media presentation device. And the method could furtherinclude, responsive to at least determining that the video fingerprintmatches the multiple reference video fingerprints each correspondingwith a different respective channel, the computing system requesting andreceiving from the media presentation device the audio fingerprint ofthe media content being rendered by the media presentation device, so asto facilitate the performing of disambiguation based on the obtainedaudio fingerprint.

And still further, the method could include, responsive to at leastdetermining that the video fingerprint matches the multiple referencefingerprints each corresponding with a different channel, generating thereference audio fingerprints corresponding with the same channels as themultiple reference video fingerprints, so as to facilitate thecomparing.

Moreover, as discussed above, the act of taking action based on theestablishing that the media presentation device is receiving the mediacontent on the single channel could involve taking an action selectedfrom the group consisting of (i) causing supplemental channel-specificcontent to be presented in conjunction with the media content beingrendered by the media presentation device and (ii) recordingpresentation of the single channel for use in a channel ratings system.And, as noted above, the method can be carried out at least in part bythe media presentation device.

FIG. 5 is next a simplified block diagram of an example system operablein accordance with the present disclosure. This system could represent anetwork server as described above, and/or one or more other entities(possibly including the media presentation device). As shown in FIG. 5,the example system includes a network communication interface 50, aprocessing unit 52, non-transitory data storage 54, any or all of whichcould be integrated together or, as shown, communicatively linkedtogether by a system bus, network, or other connection mechanism 56.

Network communication interface 50 could comprise one or more physicalnetwork connection mechanisms to facilitate communication on a networksuch as network 26 discussed above, and/or for engaging in direct ornetworked communication with one or more other local or remote entities.As such, the network communication interface could comprise a wirelessor wired Ethernet interface or other type of network interface, forengaging in IP communication and/or other type of network communication.

Processing unit 52, could then comprise one or more general purposeprocessors (e.g., microprocessors) and/or one or more specializedprocessors (e.g., application specific integrated circuits). Andnon-transitory data storage 54 could comprise one or more volatileand/or non-volatile storage components, such as optical, magnetic, orflash storage.

As shown, data storage 54 then stores program instructions 58, whichcould be executable by processing unit 52 to carry out variousoperations described herein. For example, the program instructions couldbe executable to (i) receive from a media presentation device, via thenetwork communication interface, a video fingerprint of media contentbeing rendered by the media presentation device, (ii) determine that thereceived video fingerprint matches reference video fingerprintscorresponding with multiple channels, (iii) receive from the mediapresentation device, via the network communication interface, an audiofingerprint of the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device, (iv) using the received audio fingerprint todetermine which of the multiple channels carries the media content beingrendered by the media presentation device, and (v) taking action basedon the determined channel.

These operations could take various forms, in line with the discussionhere. For example, the act of receiving from the media presentationdevice the audio fingerprint of the media content being rendered by themedia presentation device could occur at some point before determiningthat the received video fingerprint matches reference video fingerprintscorresponding with multiple channels, perhaps receiving the audiofingerprint along with the video fingerprint. Alternatively, the act ofact of receiving from the media presentation device the audiofingerprint of the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device could occur in response to determining that thereceived video fingerprint matches reference video fingerprintscorresponding with multiple channels, such as by responding to the videomulti-match by sending to the media presentation device a request forthe audio fingerprint of the media content being rendered by the mediapresentation device and receiving the audio fingerprint in response tosending that request. Other examples are also possible.

Finally, FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of an example mediapresentation device operable in accordance with the present disclosure.In line with the discussion above, this media presentation device couldtake various forms. For instance, it could be a television, computermonitor, or other device that operates to receive and render videocontent, and/or it could be a loudspeaker, a pair of headphones, orother device that operates to receive and render audio content. Numerousother examples are possible as well.

As shown in FIG. 6, the example media presentation device includes amedia input interface 60, a media presentation interface 62, a networkcommunication interface 64, a processing unit 66, and non-transitorydata storage 68, any or all of which could be integrated together or, asshown, communicatively linked together by a system bus, network, orother connection mechanism 70.

Media input interface 60 could comprise a physical communicationinterface for receiving media content to be presented by the mediapresentation device. As such, the media input interface could includeone or more wired and/or wireless interfaces for establishingcommunication with and receiving media content in analog or digital formfrom a receiver or other device or system. For example, the media inputinterface could include one or more interfaces compliant with protocolssuch as DVI, HDMI, VGA, USB, BLUETOOTH, WIFI, among numerous others.

Media presentation interface 62 could then comprise one or morecomponents to facilitate presentation of the received media content. Byway of example, the media presentation interface could comprise a userinterface such as a display screen and/or a loudspeaker, as well as oneor more drivers or other components for processing the received mediacontent to facilitate presentation of the content on the user interface.

Network communication interface 64 could comprise a physical networkconnection mechanism to facilitate communication on a network such asnetwork 26 discussed above, and/or for engaging in direct or networkedcommunication with one or more other local or remote entities. As such,the network communication interface could comprise a wireless or wiredEthernet interface or other type of network interface, for engaging inIP communication and/or other type of network communication.

Processing unit 66 could then comprise one or more general purposeprocessors (e.g., microprocessors) and/or one or more specializedprocessors (e.g., application specific integrated circuits). Andnon-transitory data storage 68 could comprise one or more volatileand/or non-volatile storage components, such as optical, magnetic, orflash storage. Further, as shown, data storage 68 stores programinstructions 72, which could be executable by processing unit 66 tocarry out various operations described here. For example, the programinstructions could be executable to generate on an ongoing basis or uponrequest a video fingerprint and an audio fingerprint of media contentbeing rendered by the media presentation device, based on analysis ofthe media content being received at the media input interface 60 and/orbeing processed at the media presentation interface, and to provide thegenerated fingerprints on an ongoing basis or upon request to facilitatechannel identification as described herein.

Exemplary embodiments have been described above. Those skilled in theart will understand, however, that changes and modifications may be madeto these embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A media presentation device comprising: a mediainput interface through which to receive media content to be presentedby the media presentation device; a media presentation interface forpresenting the media content; a network communication interface; aprocessing unit; non-transitory data storage; and program instructionsstored in the non-transitory data storage and executable by theprocessing unit to carry out operations including: generating digitalvideo fingerprint data representing the media content, based on analysisof the media content, and outputting the generated digital videofingerprint data for transmission through the network communicationinterface to a server, after outputting the digital video fingerprintdata for transmission to the server, receiving from the server a requestfor audio fingerprint data representing the media content, the requestbeing responsive to the server determining that the digital videofingerprint data matches reference video fingerprint data correspondingwith multiple channels, responsive to the request, outputting digitalaudio fingerprint data representing the media content, for transmissionof the digital audio fingerprint data through the network communicationinterface to the server, and causing the media presentation device topresent, in conjunction with the media content, supplementalchannel-specific content associated with one of the multiple channels,the one channel being identified from among the multiple channels basedon a determination that the digital audio fingerprint data matchesreference audio fingerprint data representing just the one channel ofthe multiple channels.
 2. The media presentation device of claim 1,wherein the media content has a video track and an audio track, whereinthe digital video fingerprint data is fingerprint data representing thevideo track and the digital audio fingerprint data fingerprint datarepresenting the audio track.
 3. The media presentation device of claim1, wherein the digital audio fingerprint data represents at least alanguage track of the media content.
 4. The media presentation device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further include: responsive to therequest, generating the digital audio fingerprint data representing themedia content.
 5. The media presentation device of claim 1, wherein thesupplemental channel-specific content comprises at least one of a pop-upadvertisement, a commercial break, or a channel-identification.
 6. Themedia presentation device of claim 1, wherein the supplementalchannel-specific content is an advertisement, and wherein causing themedia presentation device to present the supplemental content inconjunction with the media content comprises causing the mediapresentation device to present the advertisement in place of a portionof the media content.
 7. The media presentation device of claim 1,wherein the media presentation device comprises a television.
 8. Amethod comprising: generating by a media presentation device, based onanalysis of media content being rendered by the media presentationdevice, digital video fingerprint data representing the media contentbeing rendered by the media presentation device; outputting by the mediapresentation device the generated video fingerprint data fortransmission over a network to a server; after outputting the digitalvideo fingerprint data for transmission over the network to the server,receiving by the media presentation device, from the server, a requestfor audio fingerprint data representing the media content, the requestbeing responsive to the server determining that the digital videofingerprint data matches reference video fingerprint data correspondingwith multiple channels; responsive to the request, outputting by themedia presentation device digital audio fingerprint data representingthe media content, for transmission of the digital audio fingerprintdata over the network to the server; and presenting, by the mediapresentation device, in conjunction with the media content, supplementalchannel-specific content associated with one of the multiple channels,the one channel being identified from among the multiple channels basedon a determination that the digital audio fingerprint data matchesreference audio fingerprint data of just the one channel of the multiplechannels.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the media content has avideo track and an audio track, wherein the digital video fingerprintdata is fingerprint data representing the video track and the digitalaudio fingerprint data fingerprint data representing the audio track.10. The method of claim 8, wherein the digital audio fingerprint datarepresents at least a language track of the media content.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising: responsive to the request,generating the digital audio fingerprint data representing the mediacontent.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the supplementalchannel-specific content comprises at least one of a pop-upadvertisement, a commercial break, or a channel-identification.
 13. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the supplemental channel-specific content isan advertisement, and wherein presenting the supplemental content inconjunction with the media content comprises presenting theadvertisement in place of a portion of the media content.
 14. A methodcomprising: determining, by a computing system, that digital videofingerprint data representing media content being rendered by a mediapresentation device matches reference video fingerprint datacorresponding with multiple channels; responsive to at least determiningthat the digital video fingerprint data matches the reference videofingerprint data corresponding with multiple channels, performingdisambiguation by the computing system based at least in part on adetermination that digital audio fingerprint data representing the mediacontent being rendered by the media presentation device matchesreference audio fingerprint data corresponding with just a singlechannel of the multiple channels, the disambiguation establishing thatthe media presentation device is receiving the media content on thesingle channel; and taking action based on the establishing that themedia presentation device is receiving the media content on the singlechannel.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the media content has avideo track and an audio track, wherein the digital video fingerprintdata is fingerprint data representing the video track and the digitalaudio fingerprint data fingerprint data representing the audio track.16. The method of claim 14, wherein the digital audio fingerprint datarepresents at least a language track of the media content.
 17. Themethod of claim 14, wherein taking action based on the establishing thatthe media presentation device is receiving the media content on thesingle channel comprises causing the media presentation device topresent supplemental channel-specific content in conjunction with themedia content being rendered by the media presentation device.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the supplemental channel-specific contentincludes at least one of a pop-up advertisement, a commercial break, ora channel-identification.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein thesupplemental channel-specific content comprises an advertisement, andwherein causing the media presentation device to present thesupplemental channel-specific content in conjunction with the mediacontent being rendered by the media presentation device comprisescausing the media presentation device to present the advertisement as areplacement for a portion of the media content.
 20. The method of claim14, wherein taking action based on the establishing that the mediapresentation device is receiving the media content on the single channelcomprises inserting an advertisement in place of a portion of the mediacontent.